This federal regulation establishes the election periods during which a Medicare beneficiary may receive hospice care coverage: an initial 90-day period, a subsequent 90-day period, and an unlimited number of subsequent 60-day periods. These periods may be elected separately at different times. This rule governs hospice benefit duration and does not apply to any behavioral health, IDD, ABA, or foster care facility type.
View official source§ 418.21 Duration of hospice care coverage—Election periods. (a) Subject to the conditions set forth in this part, an individual may elect to receive hospice care during one or more of the following election periods: (1) An initial 90-day period; (2) A subsequent 90-day period; or (3) An unlimited number of subsequent 60-day periods. (b) The periods of care are available in the order listed and may be elected separately at different times. [55 FR 50834, Dec. 11, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 36017, Aug. 12, 1992; 70 FR 70546, Nov. 22, 2005]